Chapter 275: Chapter 275
Proud by the compliment his daughter received from the Butler, his mood widened in a pleased smile. An affectionate hand came to lay on the elder’s shoulder, appreciative of having his company again.
"I was left speechless many times. Marianne has made me doubt reality so many times lately..."
"..... My Lord."
"Yes. I know. We will talk more about it later."
Drifting away at the cue Thomas gave with his characterizing pause, Orland went into his manor. Aware of the place his children would be found at, he walked the path with newly gained confidence.
At the guest’s lounge, everyone remained standing and it was the Crown Prince’s words the first ones he heard as he turned into the open room located in the first plant of their home, only a few steps into the corridor to the right side of the Main Hall.
"... Since it is my Lady who is escorting me this time, I will not forfeit my limb unless she does."
"That is a crafty excuse for a Prince to use."
"It is called manners. The Little Duke should already know... I am thoughtful towards the Lady."
"How come the guest is still standing?" — The Duke then interrupted, unimpressed by the current discussion going on between the youth under his roof. — "Is there some kind of problem? I don’t remember my children failing their etiquette lessons."
"... We are waiting for the guest to take a seat. Those lessons taught that if it was a royal, we ought to let them take their desired spot before any other." — Proper, Paul informed the Duke with controlled poise even though displeasure was burning his limbs.
"And it happens that I do not wish to seat yet." — Arrogant in his confidence while telling the unreasonable source of the exchange Orland heard once he arrived, Zeleskiaz calmly turned to tell the Duke demanding an explanation. — "I reckon His Grace will understand. We have indeed travelled a long way to get here. The least I want to do is seat as soon as I am able to extend my legs. More so since I am to go back shortly after this... Right?"
To his elaborate and unreasonable 0excuse, a light frown formed in Orland’s countenance as he knew such an attitude was odd in a Prince such as Zeleskiaz.
’Was he always so inclined on explaining himself so openly?... This brat is planning something.’ — "I do understand where you are coming from with that... Hence? What do you suggest? What I heard as I walked in here is slightly different. Was it not that you wanted Marianne to take the step?"
Walking peacefully, further into the room, Orland continued the conversation. Initially composed as he spoke until his hand had no choice but to cover his mouth to clear his throat... For the sight of the mentioned daughter who stood next to the Prince, was blankly staring somewhere in the ground with a gaze that, even though it was dreadful... It implied something different than ailing.
’Oh, dear... My lovely bird is upset.’
He chuckled. Fully aware that the harshness of her visage hid the same exhaustion Orland was feeling at the scene that continued to repeat.
*******
’... Why am I here?’
I had stopped caring to listen to more of these annoying people’s conversations.
’I mean, sure. He has issues with that obsession for Marianne but... Dude... Can’t you be more... Mature?’
He’s been trying to pick a fight. I get it. It’s part of his character I guess... But, ugh. I’m already tired from all the hassle of moving back here. I have even been preparing my nerves to at least feel a hint of less disgust when meeting you, Paul...
’But d*rn~ You have a gift. A gift to make my kind efforts simply useless when sensing your mere existence.’
Sigh. I would even say he’s unlucky.
Perhaps I could have put up with it if it was only him I was dealing with... However, destiny isn’t nice to either of us.
The dwarf’s wig is here too after all. And to top it off...
’This idiot kinky..... Why are you inciting more idiocy and cringe??? Were you actually planning this when joining me on the ride here??? Because, I have to say... You can clearly enhance these two’s retardedness with ease...’
Furthermore. This guy is having fun. I can tell.
My hand was ready to slip away as soon as we got to this living room. However~
’You have been restraining my hand for a while now~~ All this stupidity could have been avoided, you know~? It’s all because you keep my hand imprisoned~’
Ah... I want to become the air... If I do I can make it so no oxygen fills these morons’ lungs to spit any more nonsense...
".... Was it not that you wanted Marianne to take the step?"
’Yep. Say it, mister. Do expose everyone here... Expose their incompetence in my stead.’
And give them a good whack on the head... One that drops Theressa’s wig and one that makes Paul go bald if you are so kind.
"That is also part of my motives. If I am to share a suggestion... Since the tea is meant to take some time before it’s ready... May I have a tour around these walls? It would be good for my cramped legs."
’... You want what?!’ — Listening to the guy next to me say such an excessive request, I couldn’t help but to leave that nice spot on the ground with a dark stain I even gave a background story because of its shape similar to a dog biting it owner’s elbow... Either way. — ’Has your head truly gone cowa da bunga??’
"Does that suggestion entail Marianne’s guidance?"
"Umh, I can also guide His Highness..." — Theressa delicately added, blushing timid and hopeful like the maiden she is.
’Guuuuuh... Please... Not this–’
"Well, no thank you. Young miss... The Lady is my escort. So it is only natural that is she is to guide me."
’... Curse the moment I wrapped my hand around this madman’s muscles... the cloth of his sleeve isn’t thin enough to even be worth it.’ — My head naturally moved to look forward. Surely displaying the deadpan stare of my eyes at how things were turning out.
Somehow... This day feels eternal. And very bipolar... Because I can’t really judge if it’s a good or a bad day with everything happening as I survive it.
’Where did the flutter in my stomach go ~? For the love of peanuts... This sucks.’